48.77. Is a goods vehicle with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t allowed to overtake in the far left lane on a road with three or more lanes in one direction?
UAЧи дозволено вантажному автомобілю з дозволеною максимальною масою понад 3,5 т виконувати випередження по крайній лівій смузі на дорозі, яка має три і більше смуги для руху в одному напрямку?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safe and proper use of traffic lanes on multi-lane roads, where mistakes during maneuvering can lead to dangerous situations. Such traffic rules are especially important for large vehicles, as trucks have a longer braking distance, limited dynamics, and poorer visibility, so the legislator specifically regulates their actions on the outermost lanes.
In essence, this question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway, specifically the requirements of clause 11.6 regarding lane usage. The regulation directly states that trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 tons on roads with three or more lanes in one direction are allowed to enter the far left lane only for turning left or making a U-turn (and in populated areas on one-way roads, also for stopping on the left in permitted cases for loading/unloading). Since overtaking is not included in this list of exceptions, using the far left lane for this purpose contradicts the Traffic Rules.
The analysis of answer options in this theoretical exam is straightforward: the statement about prohibition is correct because it corresponds to the direct restriction in clause 11.6. On the other hand, the option "allowed" is incorrect, as it ignores the special rule for trucks over 3.5 tons and replaces it with the general logic of lane usage. In practice, this means: if it is necessary to drive faster than the vehicle in the adjacent lane, the driver of such a truck must overtake without occupying the far left lane, unless intending to turn left or make a U-turn.
Clause 11.6
On roads with three or more lanes in one direction, trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t, tractors, self-propelled machines, and mechanisms are allowed to enter the far left lane only for turning left or making a U-turn, and in populated areas on one-way roads, in addition to this, — for stopping on the left, in permitted cases, for loading or unloading.
Explanation of application: “Overtaking” in the far left lane is not among the listed exceptions (left turn/U-turn; in a populated area on a one-way road — stopping on the left for loading/unloading), therefore for a truck over 3.5 t it is prohibited.
Clause 1.10 (term “Truck”)
Truck — a vehicle that by its design and equipment is intended for the transportation of goods.
Clause 1.10 (term “Permitted maximum mass”)
Permitted maximum mass — the mass of the equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, as specified by the technical characteristics of the vehicle as the maximum allowable.
Clause 1.10 (term “Traffic lane”)
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway at least 2.75 m wide, marked or unmarked by road markings and intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Clause 1.10 (term “Overtaking”)
Overtaking — the movement of a vehicle at a speed exceeding the speed of a passing vehicle moving in the adjacent lane.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, a truck with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t on a road with three or more lanes in one direction is allowed to enter the far left lane only for turning left/U-turn (and in certain cases on a one-way road in a populated area — for stopping), but not for overtaking.
When a road has three or more lanes in one direction, the Traffic Rules establish a special procedure for using the lanes for certain vehicles, in particular for trucks with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 tons. It is important to understand here that the permitted maximum weight is taken from the vehicle's technical specifications, and it is this value that determines whether the vehicle falls under this requirement.
According to paragraph 11.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, for such trucks, the far left lane on a multi-lane road in one direction is not considered a “regular driving lane.” Entering it is allowed only in clearly defined cases: to make a left turn or a U-turn (and in certain situations within populated areas on one-way roads — to stop on the left in permitted cases for loading or unloading).
Overtaking is not among the listed exceptions. Therefore, if a truck over 3.5 tons moves into the far left lane specifically to overtake another vehicle, it is using this lane not as intended, i.e., violating the requirement of paragraph 11.6.
For example, on a road with three lanes in one direction, when a slower car is ahead, the driver of a truck over 3.5 tons may overtake using lanes other than the far left, which do not have such a restriction. For this vehicle, the far left lane remains a “lane only for left maneuvers,” not for overtaking or passing.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since for trucks over 3.5 tons, paragraph 11.6 allows entry into the far left lane only for turning left or making a U-turn, and this lane is not permitted for overtaking.